I, like many others, have been feeling the effects of summer here in Grand Marais. The constant flow of tourists, whom we welcome with open arms as they support our economy. The constant need to receive as much sunshine as possible before the seasons make their change, and just the endless activities that seem to present themselves everyday! I have found myself bombarded with lists of things I have accomplished, and an even bigger list of things to do! I am feeling tired. Sluggish. Maybe even a bit lost at times. Clearly I am in need of a pick me up! Whenever I'm feeling a little low, I take a look at what I've been ingesting. Coffee, sugar, and bacon. It turns out one cannot survive on these staples alone. Thank goodness it is 'sushi Wednesday'! Paired with some of the new and wonderful produce Jeri has brought in, and a hearty dog-walk, I think I'll be back to my happy-go-lucky self in no time....

Whew! Grand Marais is humming along with activity this weekend. It is Fisherman's Picnic. The last hooray for the summer. Kids are enjoying the amusement rides, adults are enjoying the chainsaw demonstrations, and everyone is enjoying the wonderful weather and the food! The coop will be having a food booth outside tomorrow between 11:00am- 4:00pm. Bison burgers and veggie burgers with all the fixens'! Come join us for a delicious bite!!

It is Sunday morning. Breakfast morning at my house. I will sheepishly admit that I am still comfortably sipping coffee in my sushi-printed flannel p.j.'s (thanks again Shelly), in the sun shinning through my window. I have however, started roasting some wonderful, locally grown potatoes-thanks to Adam and Taishaw and their fresh produce at the farmer's market yesterday!! I simply tossed them with a little olive oil, sea salt, and fresh rosemary from A & T's garden, and the smell that is wafting through the oven door is causing excess salivation! They'll be harmoniously joining a fresh picked chard and fontina frtittata in a few minutes.
The day's activities are providing ample opportunities to educate my daughter on the benefits of buying local. Not only can Addie now decifer the smells of fresh rosemary from that of fresh sage, but she is also learning about how wonderful the process of buying local is. She helped pick out the produce at the stand yesterday. She interacted with the growers. She helped me scrub those tators, and soon she'll be eating them too. She had bystanders at the market staring in awe as she eagerly consumed a fresh cucumber as though it was an apple. She is participating in the community of supporting local agriculture, and it feels so darn great! The day is off to a wonderful start.....